Is The Pressure Getting To Mancini?

Roberto Mancini brushed off fresh speculation over his future at Manchester City this morning amid reports that Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has been lined up to take his job.

‘F****** hell!’ exclaimed a smiling Mancini in mock exasperation to further questions over the issue.

Stories in Pellegrini’s native Chile suggested the former Real Madrid boss will take over at the Etihad Stadium in the summer, but Mancini said he is tired of talking about his position and sees no reason he should be sacked.

“I can’t continue to answer every week about one [manager] or another or another. I don’t understand this. Why would Manchester City change their manager?” said Mancini

Mancini once again insisted that no manager in England had done more than him in the last 15 months, pointing out that by winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Community Shield, he has lifted silverware three times.

“After the FA Cup [game against Leeds] I said that, in the last 18-20 months, since Manchester United won the Premier League [in 2011], there were seven trophies [to play for] and Manchester City won three of these seven trophies.”

Mancini signed a new five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium last summer, tying him to the club until 2017, and he reiterated his determination to stay.

“I’m not the CEO or chairman. If you want to ask these questions, ask them. I have four more years on my contract, I think I’m doing well, I am happy here.”

I always feel that a manager is clutching at straws when they start to mention the Community Shield as a trophy won. Also, Mancini is conveniently forgetting the two Champions League and one Europe League competitions that City have disappointed in over the last 18 months.

And that could well ultimately be Mancini’s downfall. City’s owners want European success and Mancini has not came close to delivering that, not even getting out of the group stages the last two season. Which is why I expect Mancini to be fired this summer, even if he wins another trophy this season.